Five Questions With ... Tony Pashos, Cleveland Browns right tackle

Q: Your locker is covered with Ron Paul paraphernalia. What's the deal with your support of the presidential candidate? When did that start and why?

A: A long time ago. Because I love America. I really do. I think that if you think about the uniqueness of what's so special about this nation, he represents that and wants to maintain the grasp on that. I can recite quotes and lines and all that stuff, but most importantly he is trying to bring this country back and remind us of why we are so special and why we are so unique in the grand scheme of this whole planet.

Q: Have you always been active in politics?

A: I'm Greek. Didn't the Greeks invent democracies? I guess it's in my blood. I was a history and [political science major at Illinois]. But I think it starts with my grandfather. I spent my entire summers with him, and him being a World War II vet, when it's just you and grandpa, you soak in a lot of stories. I'm a guy who respects every word that my elders or my parents say because it comes from experience. That's why I was more geared into history and poli sci.

Q: Your parents are from Greece and you spent summers there. What were your favorite memories from there?

A: That was my first language. I spent many years with a speech (pathologist). My favorite memories are just those moments and those memories when you're sitting there as a child, being able to spend time with your grandfather one-on-one like that. How many people get that? And at the time, you didn't get it, but afterwards you do. I really appreciated those one-on-one memories he and I built together.

Q: I heard you have a real estate license. Why did you get that?

A: I did have it, it's not active anymore. I would go in the evenings and take real estate classes because I over-thought. I always do. I wanted to prepare myself as best I could. I got a degree, I wasn't starting [in Baltimore], so I was like, "Maybe I should get a real estate license?" Everybody's making a lot of money in it, it's exciting. So in my evenings I'd leave practice and go get certified for that. But you have to renew it and sell and stuff, but I haven't been in Maryland, I haven't lived in Baltimore in how many years now? But when I bought my house, I was very educated on the ways, it helped me out. Education never hurts anybody.

Q: You and your wife recently had a baby girl. What have you learned since becoming a father?

A: It's still kind of early. I learned a lot about myself and how important my actions and what I do from here on out and what I have done will prepare her going forward. You're very selfless when you have a child, and you're even more so once you actually meet the child. I knew that going into it, but once she came out, I was like, "Wow." It hits you. I love it. Every day is a great day when I go home and see them.